Efficient Record Management System is our greatest weapon against corruption | Western Cape Government

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Efficient Record Management System is our greatest weapon against corruption

9 May 2017

Earlier today the Western Cape Government launched its annual Archives Awareness week.

While the week’s programme aims to raise awareness of the historical value of the records and files stored at the Provincial Archives, often ignored is the significant role an archival and record keeping management system plays in the promotion of quality services to communities across the Western Cape.

The basic unit of an efficient archival and record management system is the humble file.

Western Cape Minister of Finance Dr Ivan  Meyer argues that good recordkeeping promotes service delivery, transparency and accountability.

Poor records management often results in records going missing or being lost and leads to delays and poor service delivery.

Meyer: “Our doctors, nurses teachers, social workers are all reliant on a sound recordkeeping system in order to deliver a service.  Records informs the decisions officials make on a daily basis.  Every interaction between our citizens and government departments must therefore be documented and recorded as it impacts directly on the efficacy of the service government delivers” Says Meyer.

Meyer regards an efficient recordkeeping system as one of the pillars of good financial governance.

“It is also our greatest weapon against corruption”, he adds.

It is for this reason that the Western Cape Government allocated R35.3 million towards the maintenance of an archives and records management service in this current financial year”.

The Western Cape has consistently out-performed its provincial and national counterparts during the Audit General of South Africa’s annual audit of all government departments. 

Meyer: “Credible audits will not be possible without access to records and files.  Similarly, by providing access for the general public to the records currently being kept at the Western Cape Archives, the Province is promoting the values of transparency, accountability and responsibility.

The Western Cape Government is accountable to the people of the province. Without efficient record keeping in all our public offices there can be neither transparency nor accountability” said Meyer

The programme for the Western Cape Archives Week is available on https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/archives-awareness-week-2017 

Media Enquiries: 

Daniel Johnson
Media Liaison Officer/Spokesperson to Dr Ivan Meyer Minister of Finance
Cell: 079 990 4231
E-mail: daniel.johnson@westerncape.gov.za